Using Digital Video in Initial Teacher Education

A research-based, critical yet practical exploration of the benefits of using digital video in teacher education.

Digital video is easy to use and student teachers find it incredibly helpful. Since Dwight Allen first used microteaching five decades ago, video has been recognised as an ideal medium for capturing the complex nature of teaching. Through its accurate and honest representation of reality it reveals both the cognitive and affective aspects of learning to teach.

This book serves as a theory-related rationale and a practice-informed critical guide for teacher educators considering how best to use video within their programmes. It explores how video technology can be used to enrich learning in both higher education and school settings, enhancing the continuity of the learning experience. Using evidence-based examples of best practice and critical discussions relating theory and policy to practice, it encourages teacher educators to engage with the use of video technology and explore how it meets the needs of learners and the current requirements of initial teacher education.

John McCullagh is a senior lecturer in science education at Stranmillis University, Belfast. His research interests include the use of digital video within teacher education, particularly in developing pre-service teachers’ confidence and competence.

Ian Menter is former President of BERA, 2013-2015. At Oxford University Department of Education he was Director of Professional Programmes and led the development of the Oxford Education Deanery. Prior to that he was Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Glasgow and held posts at the University of the West of Scotland, London Metropolitan University, University of the West of England and the University of Gloucestershire. Ian was President of the Scottish Educational Research Association from 2005–07 and chaired the Research and Development Committee of the Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET) from 2008-11. He is a Visiting Professor at Bath Spa University and Ulster University and an Honorary Professor at the University of Exeter. Since 2018 he has been a Senior Research Associate at Kazan Federal University, Russia.